Non Service of Indictment Hinders Ebrima Jawara & Co Trial

By Rohey JadamaThe criminal trial involving Mr. Ebrima Jawara, Dr. Alasan Bah, Lamin Fatajo, Momodou Lamin Mass and Sulayman Manneh, former members of staff of the Rural Finance Project, did not proceed yesterday, 22 February, 2016 before Justice Simeon Ateh Abi of the High court due to non-service of indictment.

When the case was called, Hadi Saleh Bakun, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) appeared for the state. Lawyer Hawa Sisay-Sabally announced her representation for Dr. Bah, Lawyer Conteh for Mr. Jawara, Lawyer Borry S. Touray for Mr. Fatajo and Mr. Mass while Sulayman Manneh was not represented in court.

The DPP told the court that they had filed the bill of indictment but the defence team said they were not served with a copy of it and the court too was not also served.

DPP Saleh Bakun revealed to the Court that the Momodou Lamin Mass and Lamin Fatajo are not part of this new bill of indictment being filed.The trial judge said since the bill of indictment is not yet before him, Messrs. Fatajo and Mass should be in court in the next adjourned date and that the state should endeavour to serve the bill of indictment.

Subsequently, the matter was adjourned to 14th March at 11:30am for plea.